DAILY DIRT: No doubt about it, this song is ‘Alone’ at the top

The sandwich is called “Fool’s Gold Loaf”. You’ll understand in a minute … Welcome to today’s three thoughts that make up Vol. 954 of The Daily Dirt.

1. There are certain years that always stand out when it comes to pop music, and 1987 was one of those.

For me, ’87 arguably produced more monster hits than any year in that decade. Here’s my top 10 from that particular 12-month period of the Big ’80s:

• 1. “Alone,” by Heart: Personally, I feel this was the best song of the entire decade that was not performed by Rod Stewart. The video alone was worthy of some sort of award. Sisters Ann and Nancy Wilson were simply magnificent.
• 2. “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” by Whitney Houston: It’s difficult to select a best-ever song from this marvelous talent, but this might just be it.
• 3. “Livin’ On A Prayer,” by Bon Jovi: The top three songs on this list are in an entirely different world than the rest from this year. Most years, Bon Jovi (or Whitney) would have been No. 1 — easily.
• 4. “Shake You Down,” by Gregory Abbott: Smoooooth.
• 5. “Walk Like An Egyptian,” by the Bangles: The Bangles will never be in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but Suzanna Hoffs and her friends could put on a show. 
• 6. “La Bamba,” by Los Lobos: Maybe, just maybe the best sing-a-long song of the decade. Or ever.
• 7. “I Think We’re Alone Now,” by Tiffany: It was a big year for ripping off Tommy James and the Shondells’ classics. This was also the year Billy Idol gave us the remake of “Mony, Mony”.
• 8. “With or Without You,” by U2: My favorite effort from Bono and The Edge.
• 9. “Died In Your Arms,” by Cutting Crew: The video was bit over-dramatic, but hey, it was Cutting Crew’s five minutes in the spotlight.
• 10. “Lady In Red,” by Chris DeBurgh: This would probably be the only entry in this top 10 to be classified a ballad.

2. Did you know (Part 18) …

• That comedian/actor Kevin James went to high school with pro wrestler Mick Foley.
• That actress Robin Wright went to high school with rapper Ice Cube. 
• That singer Macy Gray went to high school with performer Marilyn Manson.
• That actress Bette Davis went to high school with Lucille Ball.
• That songwriter/singer Carole King went to college with Paul Simon.

3. I’ve always admired the singing talent of Elvis Presley.

My personal favorite from The King will always be “I Can’t Help Falling in Love With You”.

I’ve also always admired Presley’s appetite.

Arguably the most impressive of the accounts concerning Presley’s fondness for food is the story about the night Elvis flew from Memphis to Denver and back, just to get a sandwich called “Fool’s Gold Loaf”. The 8,000-calorie offering was made with a hollowed-out loaf of bread that was filled with a jar of peanut butter, jar of jelly and a pound of bacon.

Whew! pass the Pepto, puh-leeze. 

Steve Thought O’ The Day — When I lived in Ohio, I once had such a craving for Pralines and Cream ice cream from Baskin-Robbins that I hopped into the family vehicle and drove 32 miles to satisfy that yearning. To this day, I have absolutely no regrets about that trip.

Steve Eighinger writes daily for Muddy River News. If he had had a plane back then, he would’ve flown it for the ice cream.